Join us for a full day of family programmes as we celebrate Grandparents' Day!
With performances, film screenings, character tours, inter-generational workshops and more, there are many exciting ways for children and grandparents alike to discover Singapore's rich history together.
Artful Memories: A Craft Showcase by Seniors
- 10am – 5pm | Glass Atrium, Level 2 | Free
Created by a group of senior participants who were inspired by their visit to the museum’s Life in Singapore galleries, these artworks are an artistic expression of their personal stories and experiences growing up.
This showcase is presented by the National Museum, in collaboration with ACE Seniors Pte Ltd.
“What’s Your Toy Story?” Campaign Booth
- 10am – 5pm | Glass Atrium, Level 2 | Free
Children are invited to share stories of their treasured toys, in the museum’s “What’s Your Toy Story?” campaign, which will run until 31 December 2019. Entries with the most interesting stories will stand a chance to be displayed in our Growing Up gallery and win attractive prizes sponsored by LEGO. Visit our booth to find out more and submit your entry!
While at the booth, check out the National Museum’s very first interactive guide for families based on our permanent galleries. Suitable for children aged 5 to 8, Get Curious! – The Official Interactive Family Guide to the National Museum of Singapore presents information on our galleries and collection in a fun and accessible manner. Pick up a copy at a special price of $20 (U.P. $24.90) during our Grandparents’ Day celebrations!
Family Photobooth
- 10am – 12.30pm & 2pm – 5pm | Glass Atrium, Level 2 | Free
Pick up a prop or two and flash your best smile as you create a keepsake of your fun family day out. The first 20 multi-generational families (i.e. three generations) spotted at the photobooth will receive a set of heritage-inspired Jenga blocks* for even more fun bonding times ahead!
Canon Singapore Pte Ltd is the print sponsor of this photobooth.
National Museum Building Tour for Families
- 10.30am – 11.15am | Rotunda, Level 1 | Free | Age 7 – 12
Join us on a learning journey around the museum and discover more interesting gems about this 132-year-old building.
Limited to 15 pairs of parent/grandparent and child on a first come, first served basis. Pre-register here or register on-site from 10am at the Rotunda, Level 1.
GosTan Back: A Time-Travelling Adventure on Wheels
- 10.30am – 12pm | The Platform, Level 2 | $10 per parent-child pair | Age 6 – 12
Experience Singapore’s history and artefacts in our Singapore History Gallery with Xiao Ming, a young boy who gets the chance to save the future by going back in time. How will he fix his broken time machine? Young audiences can look forward to storytelling and a whole lot of hands-on fun!
This production is designed to support children with additional needs and their families to experience the museum. Families with typically developing children are also welcome to register for the programme.
Limited to 10 pairs of parent/grandparent and child. Register here.
Film Screenings
- 10.30am – 12pm & 2pm – 5pm | Gallery Theatre, Basement Level | Free
Enjoy a relaxing Saturday at the museum as you watch heart-warming films about family relationships. A full-length feature film will be screened in the morning while animated short films will be played on loop in the afternoon (29 minutes per loop).
Drop-in Craft Activity – A Grandparents’ Day Card
- 10.30am – 12.30pm & 2pm – 5pm | Gallery Theatre Foyer, Basement Level | Free | Age 4 and above
Have fun with our An Old New World-inspired stamps as you make a card for your grandparents to show your appreciation this Grandparents’ Day!
No registration required. While stocks last. Last admission at 4.45pm.
Inter-generational Percussion Performance and Drumming Circle
- 11am – 12.15pm | The Salon, Level 1 | Free
Enjoy a percussion performance by pre-schoolers from MyFirstSkool and seniors from NTUC Health, inspired by our Story of the Forest immersive installation. After the short performance, everyone is invited to pick up an instrument, join in the drumming circle and create some music together!
Senior-friendly Guided Tour
- 12.15pm – 1.15pm | Various Galleries | Free | For seniors with dementia and their caregivers
Join us for a short afternoon guided conversational tour of our Life in Singapore galleries. Conducted by the National Museum of Singapore’s Care Facilitators, this tour seeks to enable seniors, persons with dementia and their care partners to have an enjoyable time at the museum, and to explore artefacts and stories from yesteryear that they might be familiar with.
The session is free of charge and can accommodate up to 8 families on a first come, first served basis. To sign up or find out more about the tour, please contact Matilda (matilda_hong@nhb.gov.sg)
Storytelling Sessions: Orang Laut Tales by MoonShadow Stories
- 2pm – 2.30pm & 3.30pm – 4pm | Meeting Point: Entrance of the Exhibition Galleries, Basement Level | Free | Age 4 – 8
Climb on board our magnificent ship deck, and discover An Old New World through the eyes of some of Singapura’s earliest inhabitants, the Orang Laut. Be enthralled by the seafaring life of these skilled sailors and navigators who guided trading ships through the Straits waterways, and try your hand at making your own paper boat!
No registration required. Limited to 25 children per session on a first come, first served basis.
Character Tour: Mata (Policeman)
- 2.30pm – 3pm & 4pm – 4.30pm | Meeting Point: Outside exit of Singapore History Gallery, Level 1 | Free | Age 4 – 10
Follow a mata as he takes you back in time to discover some of the tools of his trade and the enthralling stories behind them.
No registration required. As the tours involve walking through the galleries, participants have to obtain their own gallery admission stickers at the Visitor Services counter on level 1 before proceeding to the meeting point.
Inter-generational Art Jamming Workshop
- 2.45pm – 4.45pm | Canyon, Basement Level | $8 per grandparent-child pair, $15 per parent-child pair, $5 per additional adult | Age 7 and above
Calling all grandparents/ parents and children! Do you know what Singapore and its surrounding regions were like before the arrival of the Europeans in 1819? Was it a sleepy fishing village? Join sketch journal artist Tham Pui San as he brings you through the An Old New World special exhibition to explore the liveliness of this region, and guides you on the techniques and skills of using oil pastels as a medium to paint scenes inspired by the landscapes and objects of this period in history.
Limited to 12 families. Click here to register.
This programme is presented by the National Museum, in collaboration with ACE Seniors Pte Ltd.
Musical Performance by Ocarina House
- 3pm & 4.30pm (30 min per session) | The Platform, Level 2 | Free
Learn more about the ocarina (a small vessel flute), and enjoy an afternoon of community performances led by seniors from the Ocarina House, managed by the House of Music.
Image Credit: National Museum of Singapore
Age
4+
Price
Free
Links
Address
Singapore93 Stamford Road Bras Basah, South Singapore 178897
How to get there?
By MRT:
Bras Basah MRT Station (5-minute walk)
Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station (5-minute walk)
City Hall MRT Station (10-minute walk)